As nominations close in Mayo for the post of county football manager in succession to John Maughan, the name of Peter Ford has emerged as the favourite to succeed. He was one of Maughan's selectors when Mayo reached the All-Ireland finals of 1996 and '97. Last year he declined to go forward again, fuelling speculation that he and Maughan had had a falling-out.
Other nominees are believed to be Eamonn Clarke, manager of Knockmore who he took to the 1997 All-Ireland club final, former Hollymount manager Mike Jennings, Pa McNicholas from Kiltimagh and possibly Billy Fitzpatrick the current Mayo junior manager.
The county board declined to comment on the selection process and would not confirm the names of any nominees.
Hockey: For the first time, both the men's and women's European hockey championships will be held at the same venue, with Barcelona to play host in 2003.
The decision was announced in Padova yesterday on the same day that the Netherlands and Germany reached the men's Nations Cup final. The Dutch overwhelmed Belgium 7-1, while Germany beat England 4-0.
Ireland are hoping to salvage some respectability against Switzerland today. Another loss would result in a wooden spoon struggle tomorrow.
Olympics: The IOC is to study plans to move the site of the Olympic village for the 2004 Games in Athens following this week's earthquake in the Greek capital.
Costas Bakouris, Director General of the Greek Olympic Organising Committee (COJO) said on Wednesday that the site, which was to be located 20km north west of Athens, had been moved 5km south because of the earthquake. But IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch said yesterday that no final decision had been taken.
An independent anti-doping agency, financed by the IOC, would be up and running by the end of the year, Samaranch, who is in Johannesburg for the All Africa Games, also said yesterday.
The IOC want the agency to be in Lausanne, Switzerland, but the European Union are objecting.
Athletics: Kenyan prodigy Noah Ngeny will make a bid for the 1,500m world record today at the IAAF Grand Prix Final at Munich's Olympic Stadium.
The 20-year-old is determined to attempt to surpass the mark of Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj, who holds the record with a time of 3:26.00.
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